John Alday facts for kids

John Alday was an English translator who was active around the year 1570, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He lived in London and was known for translating important books from other languages into English.

Alday's Main Work: Theatrum Mundi

John Alday is most famous for his English translation of a French book called Theatrum Mundi. This book was originally written by Pierre Boaistuau in French and Latin. Alday's translation was likely published in 1567.

What is Theatrum Mundi About?

The full title of Alday's translation was: Theatrum Mundi, the Theatre or rule of the worlde, wherein may be sene the running race and course of every mans life, as touching miserie and felicity. This long title tells us a lot about the book!

• It explored ideas about how people live their lives.
• It talked about both the good times (felicity) and the hard times (miserie) people experience.
• The book included many interesting stories and wise thoughts.
• Its goal was to help people avoid bad habits (vice) and encourage good ones (virtue).
• A special part of the book was about "the excellency of mankind," discussing what makes humans special.

The "Theatre" Idea

John Alday was one of the first people in England to use the word "theatre" in a book. He also helped popularize the idea that human life is like a play on a stage. This idea became very popular later on, especially in the works of famous playwrights like William Shakespeare.

Editions and Poems

Alday's translation of Theatrum Mundi was very popular.

• It was first published around 1567.
• A second edition came out in 1574.
• A third edition was published in 1581. For this edition, Alday himself checked and improved the English text.

The book also contained several poems. Because of these poems, some experts, like Joseph Ritson, considered Alday to be an English poet from the 1500s. One of the longer poems was called "A complaint of the pore husbandmen in meter," which means it was a poem about the struggles of poor farmers.

Other Translations by Alday

Besides Theatrum Mundi, John Alday translated other interesting works.

Pliny's History Summary

He translated a French summary of Pliny the Elder's famous "History." Pliny was an ancient Roman writer known for his huge work about nature and the world.

• Alday's translation was called A summarie of the Antiquities and wonders of the worlde.
• It focused on the first sixteen books of Pliny's original work.
• The book aimed to show "the wonderful works of God in his creatures."
• This translation was published around 1566.

Praise and Dispraise of Women

In 1579, another translation by Alday was published. This one was called Praise and Dispraise of Women.

• It gathered ideas about women from many different writers, both religious and non-religious.
• The book included many interesting and sometimes unusual examples.